Four Corners: Who will take home the Heisman Trophy?

Setting up for Pryor

Chris Dufresne

Los Angeles Times

Given that only one player has won two Heisman Trophies, the injury to reigning champion Mark Ingram of Alabama doesn't really change the setup for the season. Ingram was a perfect-storm winner to begin with: right guy, right team, right season.

This year sets up for junior Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who is coming off a brilliant Rose Bowl and enters the season on a team that can win the national title. Pryor also has a huge showcase game at the end, against Michigan. I would say it's Pryor's to lose.

A slip-up opens the way for someone like Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore or Oregon State tailback Jacquizz Rodgers. When all else fails, go with the best player on the best team in the end. That would exclude anyone from Notre Dame, right? The days of a player winning on a losing team have gone the way of single-bar face masks.

cdufresne@tribune.com

Pitt's Lewis looks good

Shannon Ryan

Chicago Tribune

The only Pitt player to run for more yards in a season than Tony Dorsett is Dion Lewis.

And last year at this time, he was competing for a starting job. His 1,799-yard freshman season was the launching pad for Lewis' career.

He had more yards than and the same number of touchdowns (17) as reigning Heisman winner Mark Ingram, who could be knocked out of the running if his knee injury lingers.

Lewis could bring another Heisman Trophy to Pittsburgh to match Dorsett's 1976 one, if that's the case.

sryan@tribune.com

Versatile Pryor in lead

Desmond Conner

Hartford Courant

Terrelle Pryor of Ohio State.

And you could see the wonderfully athletic dual-threat quarterback emerging as a Heisman favorite in 2010 based on the way he finished his sophomore season in 2009.

Pryor rushed for 779 yards and threw for 2,094 yards and 18 touchdowns in leading the Buckeyes to the Big Ten title and Rose Bowl.

Inconsistency has dogged him much of his short career, but he cut down his interceptions and led the Buckeyes to six wins in a row to end the season.

The Buckeyes have some outstanding talent on offense, too, that should take some of the pressure off Pryor this season. This kid was mentioned as a possible Heisman candidate before he even put on an Ohio State uniform. This year he is a legitimate candidate. He's certainly the most versatile one.

Looking for a winner for this year's Heisman Trophy? Then look no further than Norman, Okla.

Quarterback Landry Jones could join Sam Bradford and Jason White as the third Sooners quarterback to win the award this decade. He also would follow Bradford, Florida's Tim Tebow and Alabama's Mark Ingram as sophomores to win college football's top award over the last three seasons.

All the pieces are in place for Jones' run as the Sooners return eight offensive starters, including running back DeMarco Murray and receiver Ryan Broyles. Oklahoma also plays some tough opposition, including Florida State, Air Force, Cincinnati, Texas and Oklahoma State, which should provide the New Mexico native plenty of chances to shine.